Minnesota Lakes and Rivers
A Boating and Fishing Paradise!
The sparkling, sky-blue waters of Minnesota lakes and rivers provide much of the recreational opportunity for which our state is famous.
One lake and one river are the two most famous of Minnesota's bodies of water. Lake Superior,
one of the great lakes, is known as our "inland sea." It's North Shore area provides a wealth of recreational opportunity. The Mississippi River, born in Itasca State Park is the mythic river that travels the length of our nation to the Gulf of Mexico.
For many people, Minnesota's fishing lakes
are the primary attraction. There are hundreds of lake resorts in Minnesota that cater to the needs of fishermen (and women) and offer guided trips to the best fishing spots.
Other Minnesota lake cabin rentals and family oriented resorts cater to those who want to swim, boat, canoe, kayak lie in the sun or build sand castles on the beach.
If you want to experience the wilder side of Minnesota's lakes and rivers, plan a Minnesota fishing vacation in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness(BWCA).
The remote portions of Voyageurs National Park offer similar experiences. And, the Superior National Forest offers some spectacular, though often over-looked, lakes and rivers.
In many states, with more limited water resources, it can be hard to find a way to be on or near a lake. In Minnesota lake property is still abundant. Whether you come to find a place to stay for a week or for the summer, or even if you want to build a home on a lake, you can realize your dream.
Minnesota lakes and rivers, include the legendary Mississippi River that is born here, our "inland sea," Lake Superior, and thousands of other bodies of water. Our abundant water resource is a huge part of what makes Minnesota so attractive and so much fun!
Minnesota Lakes
10,000 Lakes, is that possible?
Actually, Minnesota has 11,842 lakes that are greater than 10 acres in size. If you are not familiar with Minnesota, how can you choose a lake vacation spot among so many possibilities? As a starting point, some of our most popular lakes are:
- Lake Superior
- Lake of the Woods
- Mille Lacs Lake
- Lake Winnibigoshish
- Leech Lake
- Cass Lake
- Upper Red Lake
- Detroit Lake
- Lake Vermilion
- Gull Lake
- Lake Minnetonka
Then there are entire areas of the state that are defined by the recreational opportunities offered by Minnesota lakes and rivers:
The Minnesota DNR offers a lake finder and Minnesota lake maps to help you decide which
lakes are the best choice for your Minnesota visit.
And this site offers a comprensive list of Minnesota
fishing lakes by county.
A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.
~Henry David Thoreau
Information about Minnesota Lakes
Minnesota Rivers
Minnesota's rivers and streams are the water trails that offer thousands of miles of scenic canoeing & kayaking. More than 30 water trails flow through more than 4000 river miles of Minnesota.
Some of Minnesota's major rivers include:
- The Mississippi River begins in Lake Itasca in northen Minnesota and winds for approximately 681.3 miles through Minnesota.
- The Minnesota River is a tributary of the Mississippi River. It travels approximately 332 miles of Minnesota's landscape.
- The St. Croix River is also a tributary of the Mississippi River. Approximately 164 miles lie within Minnesota's borders; the lower 125 miles of the river form the state line between Wisconsin and Minnesota.
A river seems a magic thing. A magic, moving, living part of the earth itself . . ." ~Laura Gilpin
Information about Minnesota Rivers

Related Links:
Minnesota Water Trails
Mississippi River Facts
Lake Superior Facts
Lake Superior North Shore
Help Keep Minnesota Green
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